WHO stubs out tobacco adverts

'Smoking kills'. Warnings like this could cover over half a packet of cigarettes if a treaty to curb tobacco consumption is passed at the World Health Organisation assembly which starts tomorrow in Geneva.

It will require countries to ban tobacco advertising within five years and 'to consider public health objectives when implementing tax and price policies on tobacco products.' The US and Germany have voiced doubts about the provisions. However, the treaty is likely to be implemented in WHO member states apart from the US, even if the US does not sign, so US tobacco firms would still be hit in their export markets.